days out

Childhood is a magical time. It’s when kids start to make sense of the world around them. Children, especially toddlers, have the ability to turn ordinary activities into interesting situations. In fact, a child’s grasp of fantasy and reality is very fragile, and that’s why it is important for parents to make sure they nurture it. As we noted before – Albert Einstein once said logic will get you from A to Z, but imagination will get you anywhere.

It’s common for parents to find it challenging to get their children off the sofa, especially in this day and age when there are so many apps and games. But if the activity is interesting enough, they might just put their gadgets down. Why not send them on a spy mission around your local area? You can start by giving them a map of their “mission”, with their journey beginning at your home and ending at their favourite spot. If they are too young to go out alone, you can accompany them as their assistants. This is a great way to get them out of the house and exercising.

Go star gazing

Image Credit: Pexels

Take them to a family camping site where you can set up a bonfire and a tent, and tell stories about aliens, observe the stars, and map out your next family trip to a distant planet. Bring a telescope and help them find the North Star and other famous formations. If you’re really feeling imaginative you can pretend that the lights of aeroplanes are in fact alien spaceships. Simple activities like these are crucial to a child’s upbringing.

Escape to Narnia with your children

Image Credit: Pexels

Encourage your kids to imagine that they’ve entered the wardrobe and have come out the other end in Narnia. It would be exhausting to explore Narnia on foot, so make sure to take your bikes along with you. Why not take your kids to a woodland biking trail for the best adventure? Famous forests such as the New Forest and Sherwood Forest have plenty of family-friendly biking trails. You can even make a weekend of it and take your children camping.

While cycling can be a low-cost activity for all the family, it is important that you are able to revisit these magical adventures in the future. If you want to have regular trips to magical forests, make sure you keep your family’s bikes in tip-top shape, by not leaving them out in the elements, as they may succumb to the British weather. The long list of bike showcased on Screwfix show the range of sizes and styles that are now available. The size of your garden will be the deciding factor on which size you get, but it is best to get a shed that can protect all of the bikes. Even more important than your family’s bike’s well-being is your children’s safety. So if you get a big enough bike shed, make sure to store all their helmets, and knee and elbow pads in there too. For an added bit of entertainment, why not dress up the entrance to the bike shed up as the wardrobe leading to Narnia? This will really start their magical journey off on the right foot.

Visit child-friendly locations

Image Credit: Pexels

Here’s another reason to go out to the woods. There are many fairy-hunting guided tours for kids that you can join, as well as fairy and elf walks. These will take you and your kids through quaint villages and scenic areas where your kids can put their imaginations to work. Pop Sugar has a list of the most enchanting gardens in the UK, which includes Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire and Furzey Gardens in Hampshire. Gardens such as these are perfect for mini-adventures, as they have play parks and other activities for kids to enjoy. If you visit a National Trust site, there are also events that go on over the year, and many of them are connected to the location. For instance, castles will often have a medieval camp where the kids can practice archery.

So don’t be afraid if your kids make a mess or if they end up a little dirty from their imaginative games. Let them have fun in the mud by teaching them Harry Potter’s famous game, Quidditch. Gather your kids’ friends or organise a play date. Assign seekers, beaters, and other members of the team and let them imagine themselves flying on broomsticks like Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger did.

Children love water play. And seeing that the British summer has been kindly blessing us with hot weather so far this year, there’s never been a better time to let our boys and girls out in the garden and have lots of (wet) fun. Water play is great for several reasons. Firstly, it helps your children keep cool when it’s really hot, so they can enjoy being outdoors for longer (and getting a nice vitamin D top up). Plus, water play is always a great source of giggles and laughter, and it can be really inexpensive to set up too! So if you’re looking to have some fun with the children this summer (and in your own back garden, no less) here is a list of super-fun ideas for water activities.

1. Just give them a bucket.

How simple is this? Give younger children a bucket of water to dip their hands, feet, toys, or even themselves in, and they’ll be having hours of fun! Let them experiment with emptying the bucket or seeing the water overflow when they put bigger objects in. Does their plastic boat float? Does a pebble sink? For added fun, you can even raid the kitchen cupboards and put a variety of seeds and nuts in the water and see what happens. Or why not add some washing up liquid, grab a whisk from the kitchen, and let the children mix it all up and see what happens?

You may think they’re ‘just playing’, but through splashing, stirring, and pouring, they’re actually making sense of the world around them and learning as they do. It’s all so simple and yet so powerful! And if you have older children who are past this experimentation phase, just give them a bucket each, and they can just have a water fight instead!

2. Get a paddling pool.

A paddling pool could set you back a little bit – obviously, this all depends on the size you decide to get. But you can get really good-quality, good-sized paddling pools for a relatively cheap price if you shop around or plan ahead and buy in the sales towards the end of the summer to be ready to go for the following year. Give them goggles, masks, or, if you have little ones, armbands and bath toys. The added benefit is that if you get a paddling pool that’s big enough, you can get in yourself and join in the fun. (We know that secretly you’re just trying to cool yourself down!)

3. Have a water fight.

Water balloons and water guns come to mind here. All children love a good gun (make-believe) fight. It gets their creative juices going, and the chasing bit is just plain fun. There’s nothing better than a day spent running around the garden with your siblings, parents, neighbours or friends! If you have any pool noodles at home, fill up some water balloons and get the family involved in a pretend game of cricket or baseball. Of course, you’re all guaranteed to end up totally wet, but that’s the whole point, right? And if you have no balloons or water guns handy, how about throwing wet sponges at each other instead?

4. Put the sprinklers on.

When the weather is really hot, there’s nothing easier than just putting the sprinklers on and letting the children run wild in their swimming costumes. Or even their underpants. Because, surely, that doubles the fun! And if you don’t have sprinklers, you can always chase them around with the garden hose! Just be sure to protect them from the sun with UV-protective clothing or sun cream if the children are going to be outdoors during the hottest hours. Either way, it may be a good idea for them to have frequent breaks to sit in the shade for a bit and away from direct sunlight, to avoid the potential risk of skin damage.

5. Play with bottles.

Maybe your children are still a bit young to be running around with water balloons, water guns, or being chased by a garden hose. Or maybe they simply prefer quieter, less energetic activities. If they do, maybe they’ll enjoy filling some spray bottles with water and cooling themselves down that way. You can help them make some holes to the bottom or to the sides of some empty plastic bottles and let them have fun watching what happens when you pour water into the bottle. Or you could even attach and secure a water bottle to the garden hose and let the children have their very own, home-made garden sprinklers!

6. Wash something.

Well, if you’re going to play with water (and get wet) anyway, you may as well do something useful! Why not wash the car or your children’s bikes or scooters? If not, you can always play pretend. Maybe your children’s dolls need a wash? Or they toy animals? Their dinosaurs? Surely, with everything they get up to on a daily basis, dinosaurs need a wash too! If your child is into dinosaurs, you may want to check out some dinosaur-themed party games here. Or why not set up a little car- or train-wash station? Toy cars and trains always get dirty! Just make sure you supervise the selection process so that your children’s remote-controlled cars don’t end up in the water.

7. Play with ice.

Just because it’s summer, it doesn’t mean your children can’t experiment with ice. In fact, this is the time of year when you may be going through a lot of ice anyway, trying to keep your drinks cool. A great activity that your little ones will love is to fill up empty cartons of milk or juice with water and freeze them, maybe overnight. When you take the containers out of the freezer, remove the cartons, and you’ll be left with big ice shapes. Let the children have fun with them. What happens when you try and build an ice castle? Do the blocks stay on top of each other, or are they too slippery? Do they feel sticky when you touch them? If you add some food colouring to the water before you freeze it, what does the ice look like? This can be amazing for sensory play, as the activity allows the children to explore and learn through their senses, as well as developing their cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills in many other ways too.

8. Make a water table.

While most nurseries have water and sand tables they can use outdoors with the children, you may not have one at home. Smaller, generally plastic-made water or sand tables are available from all major toy retailers if you’re willing to buy one. But if not, this is where you may need to get a bit creative yourself. Do you have anything that could double up as a water table? Maybe a large, empty plastic toy box? Fill it with ice cubes and let the children mix and stir with some kitchen utensils. This is perfect for toddlers or pre-schoolers, for example. Or you could make a small world in the water table for them. Add boats, pebbles, or any toy sea creatures you may have, and you’ve just done wonders for their imagination!

Another option is to fill up your box with water and then add a few drops of food colouring into it to create coloured water. Let them experiment and see what happens when they add more colours, or when they add more water in. How do the colours change? If you add salt to the water, you can even practise floating or sinking different types of toys. As always, be careful with your wooden or any battery-operated toys as you don’t want those to end up in the water. These activities are all great for your children’s imagination – they help your child develop a variety of skills, including eye-hand coordination and cognitive abilities. With water, they can experiment with cause and effect and problem-solving in an age-appropriate way without even being aware of it!

9. Make a tin foil river.

If your children like getting involved in a little DIY project, why not make a river of tin foil? Grab some heavy-duty tin foil and literally create the bed of a (pretend) river. If you’re prepared to use the whole thing, you can make quite a good-sized river! Put something underneath so it’s downhill and add some ‘obstacles’, like pebbles or sticks that your children can find in the garden. Pour some water from the top of the river and watch it flow to the bottom. If you don’t want to waste the water, you can collect it at the bottom through another bucket and feed it through your river again and again. Let the children lead the way here – listen to their ideas and their input. Let them experiment and see what they come up with. You’ll be amazed at how resourceful and creative your children can be.

If you liked this post and are looking to have more garden fun with your children while the good weather lasts, you may be interested in our post with ideas for fun and free garden activities.

Over to you now – do you have any ideas or suggestions for fun water activities that your children love?

We love a family day out! There are so many places to choose from in the UK, so for days out with the kids how do you know what the best family attractions and child-friendly places are, especially if you have children under 12? You are spending your hard earned money and precious time so you want to choose somewhere that will delight, inspire and entertain all the family and create magical memories for your family. So here are our recommendations for 18 UK attractions you must take your kids to before they turn 12; from all around the UK and for all tastes and pockets!

1. Bewilderwood

A huge, award winning forest of family fun for days out with the kids and outdoor adventure. With treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, storytelling, boat trips and marsh walks; it’s the exact opposite of the commercial theme parks – no special effects, rides or fast food outlets; just lots and lots of outdoor fun and adventure!

2. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

At first impression outside it’s busy, full of tourists (who are only visiting to get the picture!) and expensive, but get inside and for the true Harry Potter fans it’s an absolute treasure trove of amazing-ness! It suggests most people are there for 3 hours – we were there 7 hours with a 7 and 9 year old (and a very pregnant mummy!)

Once inside it didn’t seem as busy or full of bustle as we first thought. And the audio guide although additional cost is well worth it!!

3. Warwick Castle

As much as it is a very commercially created castle attraction (operated by Merlin Entertainments then it wouldn’t be anything else, but in fairness it is done tastefully and in keeping with the castle theme. The activities are on theme and you can still marvel at the castle structure itself. The thing that Warwick Castle does really well is the interactive activities; we did a workshop in the witches tower, a cross-bow workshop, watched storytelling and jousting! Great for all ages!

4. A day out at Blackpool

There is often an impression of Blackpool that it is all about stag and hens and the pleasure beach! And as much as there are parts that are a bit tired and undesirable, it is still a great family weekend or day out for some traditional seaside fun. The recent regeneration of the promenade area has made the beachfront attractive, clean and brilliant for families. The tower and circus are brilliant – with the tower 4D show well worth it and show-stopping stunts at the circus! Sandcastle water park is one of the UK’s best water parks, the piers and pleasure beach you can simply have fish and chips, build sandcastles and stroll on the pier or you can have a thrill and action-packed weekend for the whole family!

https://www.visitblackpool.com

5. Ironbridge Gorge

Ironbridge Gorge is a heritage site which is not only beautiful but has some amazing museum and family experiences, away from the commercial nature of a lot of the attractions in this list but with the same level of interactivity and ability to create magical memories!

At Blists Hill Victorian Town, costumed actors give an insight into life in the valley as they go about their daily lives in their cottages, shops and places of work. You can change your money into Victoria Money and spend it in the shops. There’s a Victorian fairground, an old-fashioned sweet shop, and horse and cart rides.

The nearby Enginuity science and technology centre, children can learn about locomotives and robots, while the Coalport China Museum and Jackfield Tile Museum run craft workshops where they can try out their pottery and painting skills

https://www.ironbridge.org.uk

6. Eureka the children’s museum

A visit to Eureka! is unique, interesting and FUN! Eureka! is a great, inclusive day out for families with children aged 0-11, in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Explore the six zones, extensive grounds, creativity space, children’s mini village with bank, shop, garage and post office, or join in the regular workshops and creative activities. It’s a complete day out; and what’s even better is your admission ticket gives you annual admission meaning you can visit for free all year!

7. The Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four acre garden in the heart of Tupgill Park and the Yorkshire Dales. A tourist visitor attraction unlike anywhere that you have been before, ideal for the adventurers and those young at heart!

There are paths and passages that lead nowhere, extraordinary statues, with decisions to make and tricks to avoid. This is a day out with a difference which will challenge and delight adults and children of all ages.

9. Bounce below

Housed at a Breath-taking site, in a former slate mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales you can play, slide, jump and bounce from net to net in a cavern the size of a cathedral!

Great for all ages and to enjoy together as a family.

https://www.zipworld.co.uk/adventure/bounce-below

10. Llandudno

One of our favourite days out – a real traditional day out at the seaside. With a lovely, pebble beach, traditional pier and gorgeous beach front buildings. You also have to do the trip up the Great Orme (recommend cable car up and train down!) for the kids to go on the slide with the best view! With fantastic fish and chips, ice cream shops and an old fashioned vibe you truly feel like you are away from the 21st century in a lovely way (espevcially if you go into the girft shop at the top of the Great Orme!)

11. Greenwood forest park

Another attraction in North Wales and another great one!! A theme park with a difference! With a non-electric rollercoaster and a whole load of sustainable rides and outdoor activities all set in the woods this theme park has a great feeling to it; outdoor fun with a few thrills and a good lot of exploring, climbing and imaginative play. Fantastic for under 10’s!

12./ Kidzania, London, England

This is the ultimate playground for the child who wants to be a doctor/chef/ballerina when they grow up. This indoor city is created to scale for children, with job roles for them to try out, including fire fighter, photographer and journalist with international sponsors giving the zones an extra sense of reality.

A great way to introduce your child to all the different ideas of various jobs and how the world of work works! And fantastic imaginative play!

https://www.kidzania.co.uk

13./ Cadbury World

Who doesn’t want to visit a Chocolate Factory?! And this isn’t an ordinary factory visit! You can discover the secrets behind Cadbury’s Dairy Milk launched in 1905, and have the chance to add your own extras like jelly babies, or mint chips to warm liquid chocolate to make your Cadbury creation.

It has 14 zones, where you can play in chocolate rain and have warm liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk poured over your favourite treat.

See the Cadbury pack-and-wrap process on the new 3D cinema screen and then meet ‘Flex6’ the robot at the factory as he shows how he wraps those famous Cadbury bars. A great whole family chocolate treat!

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” Charles M Schulz (of Peanuts fame)

14. Chester zoo

One of the best zoos in the UK; they do a huge amount for animal conservation and research as well as having an amazing zoo. The recent creation of the multimillion pound ‘Islands’ development takes you to the islands of South east Asia and is wonderfully done complete with a boat ride. The animals are well taken care of and the whole site is clean and well maintained with children in mind throughout; important when you are planning days out with the kids.

With a load of new play areas and playgrounds recently created too the children will be happily exhausted on the way home after a day out at Chester Zoo!

15./ Manley Mere Adventure Trail

Manley Mere Adventure Trail meanders through woodland, alongside a stream with obstacles and challenges on the way…it’s a great way of having fun and spending quality time with friends and family and all ages can enjoy the obstacles!

All equipment is self-propelled and cleverly fits into the surroundings. It is a country walk as well as an adventure so there is always an easy way around – just walk past! Wherever possible obstacles are made from recycled material and re-used agricultural equipment – see if you can guess what things were in a previous life!

The trail is about 1½ miles long and there is no set route – discovering hidden things is part of the fun! There are changing rooms (a change of clothes is advised!) and a cold water hose to get any mud off hands and face before getting into your car, as you are likely to get muddy, so don’t wear your best clothes and heels!!

16./ Dinosaur Roar Adventure

A monster family day out! Norfolk’s biggest visitor attraction and one of the UK’s best for days out with the kids! Armed with your Adventurers’ Guide, explore and play in 85 acres of woods and parkland containing over 100 static dinosaurs, two life size puppet dinosaurs and animatronic dinosaurs. Not forgetting “Dippy” Dinosaur Adventure’s Park Mascot.

On arrival set off to explore the Dinosaur Trail Meet the animals and Creepy Crawlies in the Secret Animal Garden, with educational activities and demonstrations. In Dinomite, Norfolk’s largest indoor adventure play area has 3 levels of fun and adventure for all the family, with a two-level area totally dedicated to the under 5’s. Inside you will find everything from climbing nets, bridges and ball pools right up to the three massive slides which go from gentle slopes to a terrifying vertical drop. With everything Dinosaur inside and outside, what’s not to give you a stomping good time?!

17. Clip ‘n’ Climb

There are dozens of Clip n Climb centres around the UK; with a lot of them existing within other entertainment centres. It’s a really unique climbing activity and kids from 4 years and upwards can try their hands (and feet!) at the different walls and challenges! Brightly coloured, exciting and active; what’s not to like for days out with the kids?

My kids love the centre at Chester near us and would happily visit every weekend!

18./ Fairy Glen, Wigan

I had to throw this in the list as even though it’s not so much an attraction; as no one ‘runs’ or ‘operates’ it and there is no café or gift shop! What there is, is an amazing walk through the woods where Fairies are known to have their habitat! You will come across fairy dust and fairy doors at various points! With a stream for paddling, open meadows for picnic and rope swings it’s the ultimate low cost, low maintenance, low tech day out with the family – for family time together and connecting with nature it’s a winner!

We love a family festival – whether you are a hardy camper or a day tripper the UK has some brilliant festivals that cater for families where you can go and enjoy creative and imaginative play, shows and experiences together. I think that being outdoors and disconnected from the usual humdrum for even one day makes us even more connected with each other which can have such positive impact on the family dynamic! So if you have never been to a family festival or even if you are a seasoned festival goer, grab your flip-flops and your face paint and check out the best ones to visit with the kids this summer……

Latitude festival has become one of the biggest and best festivals in the UK over recent years and what is so great about it is that there really is something for everyone; great music acts, comedy, theatre and performance, but here is also an amazing family area with workshops and activities for the kids that parents will get lost in too! So much so that you could quite easily spend your whole time in the family area and forget the big acts on the main stage!!! From performance workshops, wood carving, tree climbing, star gazing, cartoon workshops, making your own bath bombs and Fairy crowns, the list is endless and the inspiration is immense! Make sure you book your camping tickets for the family field and you get access to decent toilets and showers and a good coffee stand for first thing in the morning too!!!

As the winner of the Best Family Festival at the UK Festival awards, a full five times shows they must be getting something right! With an amazing range of entertainment for all ages as well as performances from artists such as Clean Bandit and Rick Astley as well as Dick and Dom and Mr Tumble for the nippers you can’t argue with the range of entertainment on offer!

Kendal Calling is set within the stunning surroundings of the Lake District which is a plus in itself but as it includes an abundance of family-friendly entertainment alongside big name and up and coming acts then it’s a winner all round!

For kids there are workshops, games, creative performance, madcap mayhem, chill out zones and arts and crafts. There are also have Tiny Tim Peaks, with craft sessions, fun & games, storytime with special guests, music and more festival fun!

And an Idea I love it all the books – lots and lots of books, where children can listen to storytellers share their favourite tales in a calm tent environment – or outdoors under a tree when the sun shines!

Geronimo Festival

The 4th annual Geronimo Festival, designed specifically for families has just taken place at Arley Hall in Cheshire but is still to happen at Knebworth House! For an insight into Geronimo 2018 see the Daisy Day’s review video here –

With Cbeebies performers, eco-friendly activities, an adrenalin zone, circus and even a Giant tortoise the variety of activities is sure delight!

An imaginative outdoor family adventure like no other, Just So Festival enables families to step out of their day to day lives and into a wonderland of world class literature, arts, theatre, dance, music, comedy and creative pursuits together. Underpinned by the Tribal Tournament, the most bonkers competition we’ve been part of (we were part of the Owl tribe last time; that’s all I’m going to say!) it takes families on a unique expedition of mischief and mayhem, to lands full of magical midnight feasts, curious creatures, raucous pillow fights, hidden retreats, top notch food, drink and boutique camping options and breath-taking beauty. It’s a truly unique festival- you won’t find the big name acts and music here; but you will find a part of yourself and your children that you didn’t know exist!

The Big Feastival, Cotswolds – 24th -26th August 2018

The Big feastival is so much more about food…but the food is pretty great too!! And give me good entertainment alongside great food and it’s a winning combination!!

From cookery classes, a Little Dudes’ Den which includes face painting, jam sessions and giant haystacks to Justin Fletcher and screening of Paddington, there’s food, fun and frolics to be had for the whole family!

Bonus Family festival top tips!!

And here are our top tips for making your family festival as enjoyable for everyone as possible…….

1. Don’t pack too much of the wrong things!

The number of times I have cursed having 3 foot-pumps and a one pot coffee maker but not enough baby wipes or children’s leggings because they have wet themselves again!! A good rule of thumb us if the children will be wet, cold or hungry without spares take them, otherwise don’t bother!!

2. Buy a (decent) festival trolley.

Don’t do what we did first year and buy the cheapest option on Ebay – the wheels feel off during the (first) extremely long walk from the car to the tent pitch. We tied them back on temporarily but let’s just say the ‘get in’ and ‘get out’ was far more painful than it should have been with a decent trolley with wheels! Plus a trolley is invaluable for taking stuff (and tired kids) around the actual festival activities.

3. Ditch the pushchair

Unless you have a wee baby! See above; a trolley is far more practical and fun. And for added festival sparkle dress your trolley u with battery fairy lights (ok they are not exactly in the ‘must pack’ category but the effect is worth it!!

4. Bring distraction items…

…for when you are putting up the tent and taking it down (not in the way of devices – a ball, music or some cards (for older children) all work well for us!

5. Pack the snacks!!

Depending on the type of camper you are you may also do all your own meals. Personally, we see a festival as a break for all of us and account financially for buying main meals from vendors as I don’t find cooking on a camping stove particularly easy or stress-free! But regardless of this I would definitely pack lots and lots of snacks (and then more!) and go for non-perishables. As much as a banana is a great healthy energy snack; when its brown and squashed on day 3 it’s not very appetising!

6. Wipes are your friend!

And while we’re at it so is anti-bac hand gel!! I find a number of small bottles spread across bags, trolleys and tents usually means there is at least one to hand for grubby mitts on a regular basis!

7. Love the lack of routine!

Festivals are about getting away from ordinary life and discovering something new about yourself and your family. Your child won’t suffer long term by not having their usual routine for a couple of days and nights. So let your spirit be free! You will also find it easier and more enjoyable, trust me!

8. Work out the optimal shower time!!

It’s no use trying to go first thing in the morning or at teatime as that’s when everyone wants to go and you’ll wait precious fun time queueing for hours!! I find for myself midnight just before bed is a great time, as is lunchtime if you are showing the kids!

9. Go for comfort in the clothes and shoe line.

You will regret it otherwise I promise! You can style it up with face paint glitter and flowers in the hair.

10. Embrace your inner child.

No one cares what you look like, act like or how silly you are. You are at a festival; you are meant to be. So throw your inhibitions aside and try something newl what’s the worst that can happen?

This weekend is going to (finally) be a nice one and with it being the Bank Holiday it’s perfect for family fun in the garden! So if you are not going away and you are looking for some inspiration for FREE and FUN garden activities for kids do outdoors, we have a list of ideas to keep the kids entertained and have some fun with them too! Go on its the bank holiday….let your hair down.

1. Make a fairy garden or dinosaur garden!

Use an old flower pot, seed tray or any plastic tray or box. An alternative to this is to make a dinosaur garden. Use assorted pebbles and stones to decorate, create different hills and mounds and put your plastic dinosaurs in situ!

2. Shooting water into buckets

Set up an area with different size buckets at different distances and make it a challenge and score points depending on who gets the most water in which buckets!

3. Painting stones

You don’t need any special paints, just normal kiddie paints will work fine!

4. Make mud pies

An oldie and a goodie!

5. Take your soft toys outside…

…and take them on an adventure. When they are exhausted from their garden excursions then refuel them (and yourselves!) with a teddy bears picnic!

6. Make a time capsule and bury in the garden

You can include all different things from pictures, newspaper articles, toys, letters. Obviously make sure nothing is perishable!

7. Nature sketching

Sketch and really study something that interest you. A flower, feather or bird etc. Try to study it up close and draw pictures of all the parts and try to name them all.

8. Chalk gallery

Create a chalk gallery on the ground in your garden or on the pavement. It washes off in the rain so the neighbours can;’t moan. Especially if your artwork is colourful and beautiful!

9. Skipping games

Can’t beat skipping for hours!

10. Wash the car

Fun and gets a job done!!

11. Toy car wash

If one car isn’t enough, create a car wash for your toy vehicles.

12. Wash your dolls

13. Create your own sports day

You can devise your own races, the schedule and who takes part. You can even make medals and certificates and get your teddies down to cheer you on. If you don’t have much space be creative with the games; to doesn’t have to be running, it can be hooping, hopping or testing your aim games!

14. Obstacle course

You can create obstacles out of so many household and garden items. Just make sure it is age appropriate and safe! Do timed challenges of the course!

15. Make petal perfume

Another nostalgic one! Who did this as a child

16. Paint an old bed sheet

17. Junk modelling

If space allows, make a boat or pirate ship with your junk boxes!

18. Ice cube fun

Create a giant ice cube and filled with small dinosaur toys – the children can make it melt to get to the toys! Or you can put a plastic toy in a food bag, fill with (coloured) water and freeze. Give them a spoon to chisel away at it with.

19. Garden Art

Get an old bedsheet or similar, gather a load of leaves, sticks, twigs and whatever you can find and create a piece of art – simples!

RT @BarefootFest: Who said the Summer Holidays have to be boring?
We've got a JAM-PACKED programme to keep the kids entertained.
From our dedicated Arts and Crafts tent, family yoga (hello loads of Dad dancing) and even a family cinema...
Tickets -> https://t.co/6df2kuOzLdhttps://t.co/8e8J3c4a5d,Mar 14